Introduction to

New Rules of
Measurement 2
PROF. UDAYANGANI KULATUNGA
Standard Method of
Measurement- why do we need it?
Measurement details and descriptions can be provided in a uniform
basis
Cost effective items are identified and measured whilst leaving the
unimportant items
Rules can be widely applied to a range of buildings
Minimising ambiguity, confusion and omission of items
Accurate representation of quality and quantity of work
Different types of standard
methods of measurement
NRM (New Rules of Measurement)
SMM7 (Standard Method of Measurement 7)
CESMM4 (Civil Engineers Standard Method of Measurement 4)
Sri Lanka Standards 573 revision 1999
Principles of Measurement International for Works of Construction
(POMI)
Highways England
Previous standards-SMM7
 New Rules of Measurement
Provides the opportunity to measure construction projects from beginning to
end using a single standardised rule book

Includes three volumes

NRM 1
 Order of cost estimating and elemental cost planning

NRM 2
 Detailed measurement of building works

NRM 3
 Whole life Costing
New Rules of Measurement 2
Published in April 2012
Published by the Royal Institute of Charted Surveyors
Mandatory to use from January 2013
Revised in October 2021, effective from December 2021
Need of New Measurement
Rules?
Claims on SMM7 is out of date
Time consume to prepare detailed BOQs by using SMM7
“Bills of Quantities refuse to die”!
Major section of NRM2 concentrates on BOQs
 New Rules of Measurement 2
Provides fundamental guidance on the detailed measurement and description of
building works for the purpose of obtaining a tender price.

Rules address:
◦ All aspects of bill of quantities (BOQ) production, including setting out the
information required from the employer and other construction consultants to
enable a BQ to be prepared,
◦ Details on dealing with the quantification of non-measurable work items
◦ Contractor designed works and risks.

• Provides details on the content, structure and format of BOQ, as well as the benefits
and uses of BOQ.
NRM2: Structure
Introduction
Part 1: General
Part 2: Measurement rules for detailed measurement of building work
 Further information on BOQ

Part 3: tabulated rules of measurement for works procurement

Structure of
work section
tables (1)
What is included in
the section
Part 3: tabulated rules of measurement
Horizontal lines divide the tables and rules into zones to which different rules
apply
 Structure of work section
tables (2)
Work sections are laid out in SIX columns
 Column 1: item or work to be measured
 Column 2: Unit of measurement
 Column 3 (level 1): lists the information, including any dimension requirements
 Column 4 (level 2): supporting information
 Column 5 (level 3):further supporting information including any additional
dimension requirements
 Column 1: Item or work to be measured
Column 2: Unit of measurement
Column 3 (level 1): lists the information, including any dimension
requirements
Column 4 (level 2): supporting information
Column 5 (level 3):further supporting information including any additional
dimension requirements

1 2 3 4 5
• Column 6: (notes)
• explains what work is deemed to be included in specific building
components/items,
• contains definitions of specific terms and phrases used in connection
with the building components/items (134-Bulk excavation)
 Descriptions
Note: Each description will usually contain information from column 1, 2 and
3 and as many items from column 4 and 5 that are applicable and when
relevant information from column 6
Descriptions shall include
◦ type and quality of the material;
◦ critical dimension(s) of the material(s);
◦ method of fixing, installing or incorporating the goods or materials into the work
where not at the discretion of the contractor; and
◦ nature or type of background.
 Plain in situ concrete, 21N/mm2 20mm aggregate,
7.71 Horizontal work, thickness not exceeding 300mm,
3.21 in structures, reinforcement exceeding 5%
0.15 (11.2.1)
 Primary Equipment

Primary Equipment, system, Boiler, low level in

Primary Equipment, system, Chillers, high level

Boiler
 Work section for Excavating and Filling is:
Work section for Electrical Services is:
NRM2 The unit of measurement for Topsoil
Questions excavation is:
Work section for Excavating and Filling is:
The unit of measurement for Topsoil excavation is:
NRM2 Questions
What is the correct way to consider the girth of trees?
◦ At a height of 500mm above the ground level
◦ At a height of 1.00m above the ground level
◦ At a height of 1.5m above the ground level
 Walls, 100mm thick in common bricks
10.00 to BS 3921, skins of hollow walls, in stretcher
3.50 bond, with cement mortar (1:3)

(14.1.1.1)
End- NRM2 lecture